A Stanford win would complete a banner bowl season for Pac-12

If Stanford beats Michigan State in the Rose Bowl, the Pac-12 would finish with a 7-2 record in bowl play. That record could have been even better if Arizona State hadn’t given such an uninspired performance in the Holiday Bowl, losing to Texas Tech 37-23.

The Pac-12 runners-up and South Division champions didn’t look good at all, continuing the conference’s recent problems in the San Diego bowl.

The Big Ten entered New Year’s Day with an 0-2 record in bowl games this season. Michigan State is one of four Big Ten teams that will play bowl games today, and Ohio State is in the Orange Bowl on Friday.